Tips for Taking Care of Male Betta Fish

A new challenge: Taking care of a male Betta fish 

Taking care of male betta fish can represent a new challenge. It is not a difficult task, although it involves learning about betta fish and their natural habitat.

Where should you begin?

In order to learn what type of male betta fish you want to buy, shop around. Ask questions. Then, find a betta fish that you cannot resist and buy the one that you fall in love with.

Here are tips for taking care of male betta fish.

Purchase a healthy betta fish

In North America, when one purchases a betta fish (betta splendens), also known as a Siamese fighting fish, it is important to make certain that the betta fish that you purchase is healthy. If it is not, you may lose your betta fish before long, even if you give it good care. Look for a lively, brightly colored betta fish that is in clean water. He will be active and his large, sweeping fins should display well. 

If the fish is lethargic, has white spots or appears bloated, he may be unhealthy. A betta fish that is not healthy will not eat, either. If you are in doubt about the health of the betta fish ask the store person or fish store attendant to find a healthier one for you or go to another dealer. 

All betta fish are imported from eastern Asia. Some have been well cared for, but that is not always the case. If they have not been living in clean water or have not been fed properly, they may be unhealthy and will not live long.

Make certain that the betta fish you purchase is a male, because you do not want to start breeding betta fish. 

The male has bright colors and long, sweeping fins. A female is less colorful. The tail of the betta fish may be any number of different shapes depending upon the type of betta fish. It may have a double tail or one that is a half circle.

Taking the betta fish home

Transporting the betta fish home should not present a problem, as the pet store or the place where you purchase the betta fish, should provide a suitable container, if you have not purchased one. You may be able to buy one from them. They may place the betta fish in a plastic bag for you or provide you with a small container like a small, fish bowl. 

If it is cold or hot outside, the water temperature for the betta fish should be maintained around 25 degrees Celsius, when you are transporting your betta fish. A betta fish can breathe oxygen from the atmosphere because it has a specialized breathing organ, called a labyrinth. It takes in oxygen from the water, through its gills. You should be able to transport the betta fish safely, as long as you do not place him in a tightly sealed container. By the way, betta fish do jump out of containers, so make certain that the one you are using is high enough that he cannot jump out or has a cover that allows air to penetrate. 

Learn how to feed your betta fish

Before you leave the store or pet shop, make certain you know what kind of betta fish food you need to purchase for this betta fish. Find out what he has been eating on a regular basis and try to obtain the same food. If you are not able to find the exact same kind of food, purchase fish food recommended for betta fish. 

Normally in their natural habitat, betta fish live on live aquatic insects, larvae and bugs that enter the water. You may be able to purchase frozen bloodworms or dry pellet, betta fish foods. You can also use fish flakes. 

Make certain what you are going to feed your betta fish is appropriate. Find out how much fish food you should be giving your betta fish. Plan to feed your fish, once a day. Do not over feed your betta fish, as uneaten food can spoil in the water. Remove uneaten food from the water, as this will keep the betta fish healthier.

Introducing your betta fish to a new aquarium

When you get your betta fish home, leave him in the same container that he has been brought home in, while you prepare the aquarium or container that you are going to place him in. The aquarium does not need to be large, but allowing the betta fish to have extra room will result in a happier and more active betta fish. 

Ideally, you need at least a gallon of water for a betta fish to swim around in. He may or may not have been in that much water. Of course, you may have to use less, depending upon the size of your fish bowl or aquarium. The smaller the container, the more ammonia there will be in the water. This can weaken a betta fish. Make certain that the container has been properly cleaned. 

Place rocks, pebbles or marbles on the bottom of the container. Use water that is at room temperature. Feel the temperature of the water with your hand if you do not have a thermometer and make certain that it is about the same temperature as the water that he is in. If not, allow time for it to warm. Placing him in extremely cold water or warm water could be a shock to his system. If the water has been sitting for twenty four hours, the chlorine will have disappeared. You may want to purchase tablets to eliminate chlorine, if you tend to have a lot of chlorine in the water in your area. 

If you have unusual fish tank ornaments with holes, place them in the water, too. Betta fish enjoy swimming through them. The betta fish respond well to plants, too as they release extra oxygen into the water. Betta fish tend to hide under leaves that float on the top of the water or they will rest on a plant or whatever else is in the water. 

When the water temperature is appropriate, take a bit of the water and put it into the container you brought your betta fish home in. See how he responds to it. If your aquarium water is suitable, you will know by his behavior. 

Carefully place him into the aquarium and watch him for a little while just to make certain that he does adjust well to it. He will probably be excited and swim around, while he examines his new surroundings. You will enjoy watching him check everything out.

Cleaning the aquarium

While some people suggest that in the normal habitat for betta fish the water is not clean, you will find that cleaning your aquarium regularly is beneficial for your health and his, too. He will stay healthier if you make a habit of changing at least seventy five percent of his water, every seven to ten days. When the water is starting to become cloudy, has old fish food floating around in it or begins to have an odor, change it immediately. You can change the water without cleaning the aquarium every time, but make a point of cleaning your aquarium on a regular basis. It is more work, but you will be glad when you see how much more active your betta fish will be. 

In order to clean the aquarium, take the fish out first and place him safely in another container with some of the water. Place about twenty five percent of the water in a third container and discard the rest. Wash the aquarium thoroughly with water containing a small amount of detergent. 

Make sure that you wash the rocks, pebbles, marbles and ornaments. Rinse the aquarium thoroughly. Once you have rinsed everything, put it back into the aquarium. Return the water that you have saved. You can rinse off your water plants. You can return your betta fish back to the aquarium, at this point or wait until you have replaced the other, seventy five percent of the old water, with fresh water. If you don't have water that is at room temperature, leave the fish in the twenty five percent and wait. Let it sit for twenty four hours first and then add it to the aquarium.

Provide a hiding place

Normally, betta fish love to disappear into little nooks or crevices in rocks or ornaments, so make certain you have a hiding place for him. This is normal behavior for a betta fish. He may try to hide under a floating plant leaf or a rock, particularly when the room is bright. You may find your betta fish watching you and everything you do or watching anything that is moving, like a figures on television. At times, he may try to play with or attack his own reflection. Don't be afraid to talk to him and observe his behavior. 

Sometimes, it is a good idea to keep notes, so that you know when his aquarium needs to be cleaned or when you need to purchase more food. You can keep track of his different behaviors, like blowing bubbles. Keep a record of how he responds to different types of betta fish food, too. Normally the betta fish is a bit of a recluse, but it is fun to watch him explore his world. 

Enjoy your new, male betta fish and don't forget to give him a name!